Wound and bandage protection system and method

ABSTRACT

Wound/bandage protectors configured as a wrap, a sock/mitten, which may be made out of stretchable material. The wrap may have one or more fastening straps as well as possibly a first catch fastening surface. The sock/mitten may have a fastening strap and a sheath. The wrap, the sock/mitten, and the bandages may have apertures and aperture covers. The wrap may have one or more fastening straps as well as possibly a first catch fastening surface and an accessory holder. The sock/mitten may have a fastening strap and a sheath. The strap may be attached to an internal side of a body of the sock/mitten and extend out a slit. The internal portion of the strap having a non-slip grip surface and the external portion of the strip configured to fasten to the body or to the strap itself.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a wound and bandage protection systemthat is designed to resolve many issues of durability, comfort and easeof application that are not adequately resolved by current wound andbandage protection systems as well as systems for securely holdingintravenous tubes and other medical equipment to a patient. Theinvention also relates to a method of using the wound and bandageprotection system for wound care and for securely holding intravenoustubes and other medical equipment to a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the history of bandage making, a common problem has plaguedthe adhesive bandage industry. In order to properly protect a wound, itshould be covered and insulated from outside infectants. However, mostadhesive bandages do not adequately protect a wound when applied. Makersof older bandages tried to size the gauze pad to allow for a thin stripof adhesive around the gauze pad to adhere to the skin around the wound.However, the strip of adhesive around the gauze pad would often buckleor come loose altogether, and not keep the wound properly sealed, andpossibly cause discomfort. Recently companies have tried othersolutions. Band-Aid® brand has given up on sealing the wound and hasextended the gauze to the edge of the adhesive to maximize the amount ofgauze available to cover the wound. Nexcare® has created bandages withextremely small gauze in relation to the bandage, allowing for a betterseal, but providing less gauze in the exchange. Furthermore, thesebandages tend not to perform well on joints, where the areas of adhesivedo not conform to the bending of the limbs without causing a largeamount of buckling of the gauze. Therefore, there is a need for abandaging system to prevent buckling and loosening of the adhesivearound the gauze pad of an adhesive bandage, particularly with regard toapplication of bandages to joints, while at the same time maximizing theamount of gauze available to cover the wound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/807,404 entitled “Wound and Bandage Protection System andMethod”, filed on Dec. 28, 2012, is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/826,644 by DiGrazia, entitled “Wound andBandage Protection System”, filed Jun. 29, 2010 and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/004,866 byDiGrazia, entitled “Bandaging System”, filed Jan. 11, 2011. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/807,404 is the national phase entry ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2011/042216 entitled “Wound andBandage Protection System and Method”, filed on Jun. 28, 2011.International Application No. PCT/US2011/042216 is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/826,644, andis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/004,866and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/360,873by DiGrazia, entitled “Bandage”, filed Jul. 1, 2010 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/453,341 by DiGrazia, entitled “Wound andBandage Protection System and Method”, filed Mar. 16, 2011. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/004,866 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/826,644 and claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/360,873. This application incorporates byreference all of the above-mentioned patent applications.

The present invention provides a wound/bandage protection system and amethod of use thereof. An exemplary embodiment of a super-stretch tubeaccording to the present invention is disclosed. The super-stretch tubehas a strip that extends along a length of the super-stretch tube from afirst open end to a second open end of the super-stretch tube at leastalong an inside surface of the super-stretch tube. The super-stretchtube is preferably made of a super-stretchable elastic non-wovenmaterial.

According to the present invention, a wound/bandage protector may have abody portion configured as a wrap. On a wound facing side of the bodyportion proximal to a first end of the body portion is a first catchfastener and on a non-wound facing side of the body portion proximal toa second is a final fastener. The first catch fastener is configured soas to be capable of fastening with a wound facing side of awound/bandage protector before the final fastener fastens with anon-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector when wrapping thewound/bandage protector around a limb.

In a first exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protector accordingto the present invention, the wound/bandage protector may be comprisedof a body portion, a first-catch fastener and a first fastening tab thatacts as a final fastener. The body portion is configured as a wrap witha first end, a second end, a wound facing side and a non-wound facingside. The first-catch fastener is on an end region, which is proximal tothe first end of the body portion, of the wound facing side of the bodyportion. The first-catch fastener is configured so as to be capable offastening with at least a portion of the non-wound facing side of thebody portion. Alternatively, the wound/bandage protector may beconfigured without the first-catch fastener.

The first fastening strap extends from the second end of the bodyportion and at least a portion of a wound facing side surface of thefirst fastening strap is configured so as to be capable of fasteningwith at least a portion of the non-wound facing side of the body portionor a non-wound facing side of the first fastening strap. In onealternative embodiment, the body portion and the first fastening strapmay be comprised of the same integral piece of material.

The wound/bandage protector according to the present invention may beconfigured to be stretchable in a lengthwise direction defined by thefirst end of the body portion and the second end of the body portion.The first fastening strap of the wound/bandage protector may have afirst strap part that is stretchable, and a second strap part. In suchan embodiment of the wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention, the second strap part may include the portion of the firstfastening strap that is capable of fastening with at least a portion ofthe non-wound facing side of the body portion or the non-wound facingside of the first fastening strap. An elastic modulus of the first strappart may be greater than an elastic modulus of the body portion.

Furthermore, the wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention may also have a second fastening strap extending from thesecond end of the body portion. At least a portion of a wound facingside surface of the second fastening strap is configured so as to becapable of fastening with at least a portion of the non-wound facingside of the body portion and/or a non-wound facing side of the secondfastening strap. The second fastening strap may have a first strap partand a second strap part configured in the manner discussed above inreference to the first fastening strap. An elastic modulus of the secondfastening strap first strap part may be configured to be greater than anelastic modulus of the body portion.

The wound/bandage protector according to the present invention may alsohave a strip. The strip may be on the body portion proximal to the firstend and extend widthwise. Alternatively, the strip may extend along thelength of the body proximal to a top or bottom edge of the body portion.Moreover, multiple strips may be provided, such as strips along both thetop and bottom edge of the body portion. The strip may be comprised of arubberized material exposed on at least the wound facing side of thebody portion.

The wound/bandage protector according to the present invention may havea gauze port on the wound facing side of the body portion proximal tothe first end of the body portion. The gauze port may be configured toattach to only a small portion of a gauze pad proximal to one side ofthe gauze pad. The gauze port may be configured so as to allow repeatedremovable attachment of the gauze pad. The wound/bandage protector mayalso include a gauze pad. The gauze pad may be configured to attach tothe gauze port. Alternatively, the gauze pad may be configured so as toremain adjacent but unattached to the non-wound facing side of the bodyportion. In such an alternative exemplary embodiment, the gauze pad mayhave a rubberized or tacky frame on a wound-facing and/ornon-wound-facing side of the gauze pad.

The wound/bandage protector according to the present invention may havea strip provided on the body portion preferably between the gauze portand the first end of the body portion. If there is no gauze port, thestrip is preferably located proximal to the first end of the bodyportion. The strip may be comprised of a rubberized material that isexposed at least on the wound facing side of the body portion.Alternatively, all or a portion of the wound-facing side of the bodyportion may have a tacky surface.

A wound/bandage protector according to the present invention, may have acover. In such an embodiment of the wound/bandage protector according tothe present invention, the body portion has an aperture, and the coverand the aperture are sized so as to allow the cover to completely closethe aperture. The body portion may be configured with a shelfsurrounding the aperture, and the cover is sized so as to close theaperture by extending at least partially onto the shelf. Thewound/bandage protector according to this exemplary embodiment mayfurther comprise a non-stretchable or substantially non-stretchable rimprovided on the non-wound-facing side surface of the body portionsurrounding the aperture. The surface of the rim is sized and configuredso as to allow for removable attachment of the cover.

A wound/bandage protector according to the present invention, may havedead-zones periodically provided along the length of the body portion.The dead zones may be configured to extend widthwise with respect to thelength of the bandage and provided, preferably, at least every 3 inchesalong the length of the body portion.

A wound/bandage protector according to the present invention, may have agauze panel positioned on or integrated into the body portion proximalto the first end of the body portion. The gauze panel may be configuredso as to allow for attachment and/or repeated attachment of a gauze padon the wound-facing side of the body portion. The gauze panel may besized so as to allow all or substantially all of the gauze pad to beattached or removably attached to the gauze panel. The gauze panel andthe part of the body portion on which the gauze panel is positioned orintegrated may be configured as a dead zone. Alternatively, the gauzepad and the gauze panel may be comprised of stretchable material.

In one exemplary embodiment of a bandage according to the presentinvention, the bandage is comprised of a stretchable body portion with astretchable gauze pad affixed to the wound-facing side of the bodyportion. The body portion has adhesive on at least a portion of a woundfacing side or, alternatively, the body portion is comprised of selfadherent material, such as Coban™.

The present invention also discloses methods of protecting wounds usingthe wound/bandage protectors, bandages and super-stretch tubes, such asthe exemplary embodiments of those disclosed herein. Thus, for example,a bandage with an aperture may be used to protect a wound by applyingthe bandage with the aperture opened, placing gauze and medicine on thewound; and closing the aperture of the bandage. The method may also beapplied with wound/bandage protector with an aperture. Similarly withall the bandages and wound/bandage protectors disclosed herein, thebandage or wound/bandage protector may first be placed over the woundand then a wound/bandage protector or super stretch tube may bepositioned over the bandage or wound/bandage protector. In addition, theinvention also relates to a kit that includes all or a set of thewound/bandage protectors, bandages, and/or super-stretch tubes, asdisclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1( a) is a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of asuper-stretch tube according to the present invention;

FIG. 1( b) illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cross-sectional viewof the super-stretch tube taken along the line I-I′ in FIG. 1( a);

FIG. 2( a) is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector according to the present invention;

FIG. 2( b) is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a protectivesheath for the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 2( a);

FIG. 2( c) is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of thewound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 2( a) illustrating theprocess of securing the wound/bandage protector;

FIG. 2( d) is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector according to the present invention;

FIG. 2( e) is a top cross-sectional view of the wound/bandage protectorillustrated in FIG. 2( d) taken along line 2 e-2 e′ with a strap in anopen position;

FIG. 2( f) is a top cross-sectional view of the wound/bandage protectorillustrated in FIG. 2( d) with the strap portion in a closed position;

FIG. 3( a) is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector according to the present invention;

FIG. 3( b) is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a protectivesheath for the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 3( a);

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector according to the present invention;

FIG. 6( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the to wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 6( a);

FIG. 6( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment ofthe wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 6( a) and (b) takenalong the line II-II′ in FIG. 6( b);

FIG. 7( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 7( a);

FIG. 7( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment ofthe wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 7( a) and (b) takenalong the line III-III′ in FIG. 7( b);

FIG. 8( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 8( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 8( a);

FIG. 8( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment ofthe wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 8( a) and (b) takenalong the line IV-IV′ in FIG. 8( b);

FIG. 9( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 9( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 9( a);

FIG. 9( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment ofthe wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 9( a) and (b) takenalong the line V-V′ in FIG. 9( b);

FIG. 10( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of a exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 10( a);

FIG. 10( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodimentof the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 10( a) and (b) takenalong the line VI-VI′ in FIG. 10( b);

FIG. 11( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 11( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 11( a);

FIG. 11( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodimentof the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 11( a) and (b) takenalong the line VII-VII′ in FIG. 11( b);

FIG. 58( a) is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a frictionalgauze pad according to the present invention;

FIG. 58( b) is a side cross-sectional view of the frictional gauze padillustrated in FIG. 58( a) taken along line XII-XII′;

FIG. 59( a) is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a frictionalgauze pad according to the present invention;

FIG. 59( b) is a first exemplary cross-sectional view of the frictionalgauze pad illustrated in FIG. 59( a) taken along line XIII-XIII′;

FIG. 59( c) is a second exemplary cross-sectional view of the frictionalgauze pad illustrated in FIG. 59( a) taken along line XIII-XIII′;

FIG. 59( d) is a third exemplary cross-sectional view of the frictionalgauze pad illustrated in FIG. 59( a) taken along line XIII-XIII′;

FIG. 59( e) is an alternative exemplary cross-sectional view of thefrictional gauze pad according to the present invention;

FIG. 60 is an alternative bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 6( a).);

FIG. 61( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 61( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 61( a);

FIG. 61( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodimentof the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 61( a) and (b) takenalong the line XIV-XIV′ in FIG. 61( b);

FIG. 62( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a bandage wrap protector/holder according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 62( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the bandage wrap protector/holder illustrated in FIG. 62(a);

FIG. 62( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodimentof the bandage wrap protector/holder illustrated in FIGS. 62( a) and (b)taken along the line XV-XV′ in FIG. 62( b);

FIG. 65( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of an alternative arrangement according to the presentinvention for the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 61(a)-(c);

FIG. 65( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of the alternative arrangement according to the presentinvention for the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 61(a)-(c);

FIG. 65( c) is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodimentof the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 65( a) and (b) takenalong the line XVII-XVII′ in FIG. 65( b);

FIG. 66( a) is a top non-wound facing side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a wound/bandage protector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 66( b) is a bottom wound facing side view of the exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector illustrated in FIG. 66( a);

FIG. 66( c) is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of thewound/bandage protector illustrated in FIGS. 66( a) and (b);

FIG. 67( a) is a bottom-side view of an exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder;

FIG. 67( b) is a top-side view of an exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder;

FIG. 68( a) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector of FIG. 6( c),illustrating only the relevant elements thereof, before thewound/bandage protector is fastened to a limb;

FIG. 68( b) is the side view of the wound/bandage protector as shown inFIG. 6( c) fastened to the limb via a first catch fastener fastened witha wound facing side of a body portion, with a portion of a fasteningstrap not fastened with a non-wound facing side of the body portion andwith the wound/bandage protector accessory holder mounted on a non-woundfacing side of the body portion;

FIG. 68( c) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector with thewound/bandage protector accessory holder as shown in FIG. 68( b) with aportion of a fastening strap fastened with a non-wound facing side ofthe body portion;

FIG. 69 shows a perspective view of the wound/bandage protectoraccessory holder mounted on the non-wound facing side of the bodyportion;

FIG. 70( a) is a bottom-side view of a second exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder;

FIG. 70( b) is a top-side view of a second exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder;

FIG. 71 shows a perspective view of the wound/bandage protectoraccessory holder in an exemplary process of being mounted to thenon-wound facing side of the body portion;

FIG. 72( a) is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector, according to the present invention;

FIG. 72( b) is a top cross-sectional view of the wound/bandage protectorillustrated in FIG. 72( a) taken along line 2 e-2 e′ with a strap in anopen position;

FIG. 72( c) is a top cross-sectional view of the wound/bandage protectorillustrated in FIG. 72( a) with the strap portion in a closed position;

FIG. 73( a) is a top-side a view of an exemplary accessory holderaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 73( b) is a bottom-side view of an exemplary accessory holderaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 73( c) is a side view of the exemplary accessory holder of FIGS.73( a) and 73(b) with a first tube or wire configuration;

FIG. 73( d) is a side view of the exemplary accessory holder of FIGS.73( a) and 73(b) with a second tube or wire configuration;

FIG. 74( a) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector of FIG. 6( c),illustrating only the relevant elements thereof, before thewound/bandage protector is fastened to a limb;

FIG. 74( b) is the side view of the wound/bandage protector as shown inFIG. 6( c) fastened to the limb via a first catch fastener fastened witha wound facing side of a body portion, with a final fastener notfastened with a non-wound facing side of the body portion;

FIG. 74( c) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector of FIG. 6( c)with a final fastener fastened with a non-wound facing side of the bodyportion;

FIG. 75( a) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector of FIG. 7( c),illustrating only the relevant elements thereof, before thewound/bandage protector is fastened to a limb;

FIG. 75( b) is the side view of the wound/bandage protector as shown inFIG. 7( c) fastened to the limb via a first catch fastener fastened witha wound facing side of a body portion, with a final fastener notfastened with a non-wound facing side of the body portion;

FIG. 75( c) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector of FIG. 7( c)with a final fastener fastened with a non-wound facing side of the bodyportion;

FIG. 76( a) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector of FIG. 8( c),illustrating only the relevant elements thereof, before thewound/bandage protector is fastened to a limb;

FIG. 76( b) is the side view of the wound/bandage protector as shown inFIG. 8( c) fastened to the limb via a first catch fastener fastened witha wound facing side of a body portion, with a final fastener notfastened with a non-wound facing side of the body portion;

FIG. 76( c) is a side view of the wound/bandage protector with a finalfastener fastened with a non-wound facing side of the body portion;

FIG. 77( a) is a top-side view of an exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder;

FIG. 77( b) is a bottom-side view of an exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder;

FIG. 78( a) is a top-side view of an exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder; and

FIG. 78( b) is a bottom-side view of an exemplary embodiment of awound/bandage protector accessory holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a super-stretch tube 1 that is part of the bandaging systemaccording to the present invention. The super-stretch tube 1 may be usedfor protecting a wound or for covering one of the bandages disclosedbelow. The super-stretch tube 1 has a tube body portion 2 which may bemade of a stretchable material such as an elastic non-woven that isfound in the side portions of Huggies® brand Little Swimmers® andPull-Ups® or Pampers® Easy Ups® Cruisers®. Alternatively, the tube bodyportion 2 may be made of other materials with similar elasticityproperties that provide a comparable amount of stretchability andtension.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the stretchablematerial of the tube body portion 2, when extended to its full capacity,can stretch to more than double the tube body portion's 2 un-extendedsize. In the context of this application, “super stretchable” materialrefers to material that can resiliently stretch to a length that isequal to or greater than one and a half times the length of the materialwhen not under tension. In the context of this application,“stretchable” material refers to material that can resiliently stretchto a length that is at least ten percent greater than the length of thematerial when not under tension. A material that has “little or nostretch” is one that is not super stretchable. A material that has “nostretch” is one that is not stretchable. A “dead zone” is an area ofmaterial that has little or no stretch which may, but not necessarily,be an integral part of an otherwise stretchable material. A dead zonearea may be formed in an elastic nonwoven material with an ultrasonicseal, which is generally used when attaching two nonwovens together, bypunching, applying pressure and then high frequency vibration, whichcauses nonwoven materials to melt, to an overlapping connecting portionof the two nonwovens. Alternatively, particularly when forming a deadzone in a single piece of nonwoven fabric, the dead zone may be formedby simply applying the pressure and high frequency vibration withoutpunching. The “stretching resistance”, “elastic modulus” or Young'smodulus, refers to a ratio of stretching force on a particular areaalong a particular axis over a ratio of change in the length of thematerial along the particular axis due to the applied stretching force.Thus, a material that can be “easily” stretched has a lower elasticmodulus than a material that is “hard” to stretch. The stretchablematerial of the tube body portion 2 at least provides stretchingcapacity in a manner that allows a circumference of the super-stretchtube 1 to vary. The stretchable material of the tube body portion 2 may,alternatively, provide stretching capacity that allows both thecircumference and a length of the tube body portion 2 to vary.Preferably, the super-stretch material of the tube body portion 2 isvery thin, being less than 1/16^(th) of an inch thick when in theun-extended position and provides some breathability as well as goodwater resistance.

The super-stretch tube 1 has a strip 4 that extends along a length 7 ofthe super-stretch tube 1 from a first open end 6 of the super-stretchtube 1 to a second open end 8 of the super-stretch tube 1 at least alongan inside surface 3 of the super-stretch tube 1. The strip 4 may bepositioned along or over a seam 5 that may extend the length of thesuper-stretch tube 1. The strip 4 has one or more threads made of arubberized material provided in such a manner that the rubberizedmaterial threads are exposed at least on an inner side of thesuper-stretch tube 1. The strip 4 may be made from an elastic materialused in some larger hair bands that includes rubberized materialthreads. The rubberized material is not necessarily exposed on theexterior side 9 of the stretch tube 1. Alternatively, the strip 4 may becomprised of stretch non-slip medical grade silicone or similar,preferably latex free, material. The non-slip silicone may be applied ina continuous or discontinuous manner to form the strip 4. Alternatively,the entire inside of the tube may be coated with low tack non-slipsilicone or similar, preferably latex free, material.

Although not depicted in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) of the super-stretch tube1, in an alternative exemplary embodiment of the super-stretch tube 1according to the present invention, there may also be one or moresuper-stretch tube fastening straps attached to an exterior surface 9 ofthe super-stretch tube 1. The one or more super-stretch tube fasteningstraps may be configured in a similar fashion as fastening strap 23shown in FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) and discussed below. Preferably, a firstfastening strap of the one or more super-stretch tube fastening strapsmay be provided in close proximity to the first open end 6 of thesuper-stretch tube 1 and a second fastening strap of the one or more ofthe super-stretch tube fastening straps may be provided in closeproximity to the to the second open end 8 of the super-stretch tube 1.

FIG. 2( a) shows an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protector20, according to the present invention. The wound/bandage protector 20is configured as a “sock/mitten”, with a body 21 that has a first end21A that is open and a second end 21B that is closed. The body 21 may bemade of super-stretchable or stretchable material similar to thematerial of the super-stretch tube 1, discussed above and shown in FIG.1 and at least a portion of the non-wound facing side of the body 21 maybe configured as a Velcro® loop type fastener. The stretchable materialof the body 21 of the wound/bandage protector 20 at least provides suchstretching capacity in a manner that allows a circumference of the body21 to vary. The stretchable material of the body 21 may, alternatively,provide such stretching capacity that allows both the circumference anda length of the body 21 to vary.

The body 21 has a panel 22 which may be made of material that has littleor no stretch. The panel 22 is shown in FIG. 2( a), which illustrates anoutside side view showing a portion of an external non-wound facingsurface of the wound/bandage protector 20. However, the panel 22 is notnecessarily visibly distinguishable from the rest of the body 21,particularly on the external non-wound facing surface of thewound/bandage protector 20. A gauze pad (not specifically illustrated inFIG. 2( a) may be affixed to the panel 22 on an internal wound-facingside. Alternatively, the gauze pad may be attached to the panel 22 in atemporary fashion such as via use of a Velcro® type fastening system ora reusable pressure sensitive adhesive such as that used in Post-it®notes. In another alternative embodiment, the panel 22 and the gauze padis made of stretchable or super-stretchable material. In thisembodiment, the entire body 21 may be configured to function as thepanel 22.

In the context of this specification, gauze, or gauze pad, refers to anymaterial or composite of material that may be therapeutically used as apad over a wound. For example, the gauze pad may be made of cotton or apolyester blend fabric. The fabric may be covered with a plastic porousfilm such as Telfa® which prevents or minimizes wound adhesion.Furthermore, the gauze pad may be backed with a film that prevents bodyfluids from penetrating through the gauze pad to the bandage.

The body 21 has an external non-wound facing surface and an internalwound-facing surface. Attached to the external non-wound facing surfaceof the body 21 proximate to the first end 21A is a fastening strap 23A.The fastening strap 23A, as illustrated in FIG. 2( a) has a first strappart 23 that may be attached to the body 21 via a first attachmentregion 24. The first strap part 23 may be comprised of a stretchable orsuper stretchable material similar to the material used in thesuper-stretch tube 1. The material of the first strap part 23 preferablyprovides a stretching resistance that is greater than the stretchingresistance of the body 21. The material of the first strap part 23 atleast provides such stretching capacity in a manner that allows thelength of the fastening strap 23A to vary. The first attachment region24 is preferably configured as a dead zone to provide no stretch and maybe comprised of a composite of the material of the first strap part 23and the body 21 of the wound/bandage protector 20 and may be attached bya punch and melt heat seal. Alternatively, the first strap part 23 isdirectly attached to the body 21 without the first attachment region 24intervening therebetween.

A second strap part 27 is attached to the first strap part 23 via asecond attachment region 25. The second attachment region 25 ispreferably configured as a dead zone to provide no stretch and may becomprised of a composite of the material of the first strap part 23 andthe second strap part 27 and may be attached by a punch and melt heatseal. Alternatively, the second strap part 27 is directly attached tothe first strap part 23 without the second attachment region 25intervening therebetween. The fastening strap 23A has a wound facingside, which may be seen in FIG. 2( a). The second strap part 27 has aportion 26 that includes a Velcro® hook type material, such as VelcroUSA HTH 819 natural, on a wound-facing side of the fastening strap 23A.Alternatively, the second strap part 27 or the entire fastening strap23A may be comprised of a cohesive material such as Coban™ so that thefastening strap 23A when wrapped around can fasten to itself.

On the internal wound-facing surface of the of the body 21 proximate tothe first end 21A is a strip 21C, which may be similar in configurationto the strip 4 in the super-stretch tube 1, having one or more threadsmade of a rubberized material that provides a moderate amount offriction interwoven in the strip 21C in such a manner that therubberized material threads are exposed. Alternatively, the strip 21Cmay be made of stretch non-slip silicone or similar, preferably latexfree, material that provides a frictional surface. The non-slip siliconemay be applied in a continuous or discontinuous manner to form the strip21C. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by the frictionalsurface of the strip 21C should be one that does not cause discomfortwhen the wound/bandage protector 20 is worn. For purposes of thisapplication indication of “rubberized material” without furtherlimitation refers to any material that provides a frictional surface,including non-slip silicone and Coban™.

FIG. 2( c) illustrates the process of securing the wound/bandageprotector 20 of FIG. 2( a) by showing the fastening strap 23A in anintermediate position, as the fastening strap 23A is being extendedaround the external non-wound facing surface of the wound/bandageprotector 20 in the direction indicated by arrow 27A. The fasteningstrap 23A has a non-wound facing side, which may be seen in FIG. 2( c).The first strap part 23 may be configured to act as a loop portion of aVelcro® type fastener on the non-wound facing side of the first strappart 23. The second strap part 27 may be configured as a loop portion ofa Velcro® type fastener on the non-wound facing side of the fasteningstrap 23A.

The wound/bandage protector 20 may be slipped onto an appendage throughthe opening on the first end 21A of the body 21 so that the gauze padthat is affixed to the panel 22 of the wound/bandage protector 20 coversa wound on the appendage, and the wound/bandage protector 20 is thensecured in place by wrapping the fastening strap 23A around the outsideof the wound/bandage protector 20 and affixing the Velcro hook fastenerportion 26 of the second strap part 27 to the loop portion of the firststrap part 23, the body 21, or the loop portion of the second strap part27.

FIG. 2( d) shows another exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector 20D, according to the present invention, that is configured asa “sock/mitten”. The wound/bandage protector 20D has a body 21D that maybe configured as described above for the body 21. The body 21D has afirst end 21DA that is open and a second end 21DB that is closed and apanel 22D where a gauze pad may be permanently or detachably affixed.The wound/bandage protector 20D, however, has a strap 23D locatedproximate to the first end 21DA that is comprised of a cohesive materialsuch as Coban™. The strap 23D, instead of attaching to an externalnon-wound facing surface of the body 21D, extends through a slit 24Dthat allows the strap 23D to extend onto an internal wound-facingsurface of the body 21D. FIG. 2( e) is a top cross-sectional view takenalong the line 2 e-2 e′ illustrating how the strap 23D attaches to theinternal wound-facing surface of the body 21D and extends entirelyaround a circumference of the body 21D or alternatively around a portionof the circumference. FIGS. 2( d) and 2(e) illustrate the wound/bandageprotector 20D with the strap 23D in an open position. FIG. 2( f)illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the wound/bandage protector20D in a closed position. As is illustrated, the portion of the strap23D that is not attached to the internal wound-facing side of the body21D is of sufficient length to extend around the outside circumferenceof the wound/bandage protector 20D and to overlap on itself so as tosecurely affix the strap 23D to itself. Alternatively, a portion of theoutside circumference of the wound/bandage protector 20D may be coveredwith the cohesive material so that the strap 23D can securely fasten tothe outside circumference of the wound/bandage protector 20D rather thanhaving the strap 23D extending around onto itself.

FIG. 72( a) shows another exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector 20E, according to the present invention, that is configured asa “sock/mitten”. The wound/bandage protector 20E has a body 21E that maybe configured as described above for the body 21. The body 21E has afirst end 21EA that is open and a second end 21EB that is closed and apanel 22E where a gauze pad may be permanently or detachably affixed.The wound/bandage protector 20E, however, has a strap 23E locatedproximate to the first end 21EA. The strap 23E, instead of attaching toan external non-wound facing surface of the body 21E, extends through aslit 24E that allows the strap 23E to extend onto an internalwound-facing surface of the body 21E. As illustrated, the slit 24Eextends all the way to the first end 21EA, alternatively the slit 24Emay not extend all the way to the first end 21EA. The strap 23E does notextend all the way to the first end 21EA leaving a flap-over portion723. FIG. 72( b) is a top cross-sectional view taken along the line 72e-72 e′ illustrating how the strap 23E attaches to the internalwound-facing surface of the body 21E and extends entirely around acircumference of the body 21E or alternatively around a portion of thecircumference of the internal wound-facing surface of the body 21E. Thewound facing side 23EA of the strap 23E that is internal to the body 21Eis configured as/or with a non-slip grip surface 722 that may beconfigured and functions similar to the strip 21C. The portion of thestrap 23E that is external to the body 21E may extend entirely orpartially around an external circumference of the body 21E. The woundfacing side 23EA of the strap 23E that is external to the body 21E isconfigured as/or with a fastener 721 so that the strap 23E may befastened to the external circumference of the body 21E. Alternatively,the portion of the strap 23E that is external to the body 21E may be ofsufficient length to extend around the outside circumference of the body21E and to overlap onto itself and is configured as/or with the fastener721 so that the strap 23E may be securely affixed to wound facing side23EB of the strap 23E. FIGS. 72( a) and 72(b) illustrate thewound/bandage protector 20E with the strap 23E in an open position. FIG.72( c) illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the wound/bandageprotector 20E in a closed position. After the wound/bandage protector20E is placed on a limb and the strap 23E is fastened, the flap-overportion 723 may be folded over the strap 23E such that the flap-overportion 723 may partially or fully cover the strap 23E or even extendfurther than the strap 23E. Thus as illustrated in FIG. 72( c) theflap-over portion 723 of the body 21E also forms an outer layer of thecross-section. In an alternative embodiment, the strap 23E may extend tothe first end 21EA and the strap 23E may be folded over onto itself orcompletely flipped over along with the flap-over portion 723.Alternatively the flap-over portion 723 may extend further downwardtoward the second end 21EB and the strap 23E may be folded over ontoitself or completely flipped over along with the flap-over portion 723.Additionally, with regard to the wound/bandage protector 20D, the samemethod of fastening with a flap-over portion and the related structuralvariations may be applied.

FIG. 3( a) shows an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protector30, according to the present invention. The wound/bandage protector 30is configured as a sock/mitten similar to the wound/bandage protector 20in FIG. 2( a). The wound/bandage protector 30 has a body 31 that has afirst end 31A that is open and a second end 31B that is closed. However,the body 21 of the wound/bandage protector 20 has a uniformcircumference from the open end 21A to the closed end 21B and a panel22, which has a uniform width. In contrast, the body 31 of thewound/bandage protector 30 is tapered from the open end 31A to theclosed end 31B so that one end is larger than the other, and a panel 32is also tapered. Alternatively, the panel 32 may also have a uniformwidth, regardless of the shape or circumference of the body 31. The body31 and the panel 32 are otherwise similarly configured to the body 21and the panel 22.

The body 31 has an external non-wound facing surface and an internalwound-facing surface. Attached to the external non-wound facing surfaceof the body 31 proximate to the first end 31A is a fastening strap 33A.The fastening strap 33A has a first strap part 33, a second strap part37, a portion 36 of the second strap part 37, a first attachment region34 and a second attachment region 35 that are configured similar to thecorresponding components of the fastening strap 23A in FIG. 2( a).

FIG. 2( b) illustrates a first alternative embodiment of a protectivesheath 28 and FIG. 3( b) illustrates a second alternative embodiment ofa protective sheath 38. Both the protective sheath 28 and the protectivesheath 38 may each be used in conjunction with either the wound/bandageprotector 20 or the wound/bandage protector 30. Each of the protectivesheaths 28, 38 has a body 28A, 38A with an opening on a first end 28B,38B and a second end 28C, 38C that is closed. The bodies 28A, 38A areconfigured to fit snugly over the exterior of the wound/bandageprotector 20, 30. The bodies 28A, 38A may be comprised of a waterproofor water resistant material such as the plastic material used inPlaytex® bottle liners or vinyl, or a waterproof or water resistantnon-woven material, and may be configured with a plastic backing and/orwith the capability of being stretchable or super stretchable.Alternatively, the bodies 28A, 38A may be comprised of a composite ofmaterials, preferably one that will provide a waterproof orwater-resistant barrier. The protective sheath 28 has a slit 29 and theprotective sheath 38 has a slot 39. Both the slit 29 and the slot 39 aresized and positioned to allow the fastening strap 23A, 33A of thewound/bandage protector 20,30 to fit through so that the fastening strap23A, 33A can extend around the outside of the sheath and secure both thewound/bandage protector 20,30 as well as the sheath to an appendagebeing bandaged. On the wound facing side of the fastening strap 23A, 33Amay be a tacky surface, which may be comprised of a pressure sensitiveadhesive, or rubberized surface, or self-adherent surface material witha corresponding self-adherent surface material on the protective sheath28,38. Preferably, the tacky surface of the fastening strap 23A, 33A ison the first and/or second attachment regions 24, 34 and 25, 35.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protector 40according to the present invention. The wound/bandage protector 40 isconfigured as a sock/mitten similar to the wound/bandage protector 30 inFIG. 3( a). The wound/bandage protector 40 has a body 41 that has afirst end 41A that is open and a second end 41B that is closed. However,the wound/bandage protector 30 has a panel 32 whereas the wound/bandageprotector 40 does not have a panel.

The body 41 is otherwise similarly configured to the body 31. The body41 has an external non-wound facing surface and an internal wound-facingsurface. Attached to the external non-wound facing surface of the body41 proximate to the first end 41A is a fastening strap 43A. Thefastening strap 43A has a first strap part 43, a second strap part 47, aportion 46 of the second strap part 47, a first attachment region 44 anda second attachment region 45 that are configured similar to thecorresponding components of the fastening strap 33A in FIG. 3( a).

The wound/bandage protector 40 may be slipped onto an appendage throughthe wound/bandage protector opening 41A so that it covers a wound or abandage on the appendage, or another wound/bandage protector such as theexemplary embodiments in FIGS. 2( a) and 3(a). The wound/bandageprotector 40 is then secured in place by wrapping the fastening strap43A around the outside of the wound/bandage protector 40 and affixingthe Velcro hook fastener portion 46 of the second strap part 47 to theloop portion of the first strap part 43, the body 41 or the loop portionof the second strap part 47.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protector 50according to the present invention. The wound/bandage protector 50 isconfigured as a sock/mitten similar to the wound/bandage protector 20 inFIG. 2( a). The wound/bandage protector 50 has a body 51 that has afirst end 51A that is open and a second end 51B that is closed. However,the wound/bandage protector 20 has a panel 22 whereas the wound/bandageprotector 50 does not have a panel.

The body 51 is otherwise similarly configured to the body 21. The body51 has an external non-wound facing surface and an internal wound-facingsurface. Attached to the external non-wound facing surface of the body51 proximate to the first end 51A is a fastening strap 53A. Thefastening strap 53A has a first strap part 53, a second strap part 57, aportion 56 of the second strap part 57, a first attachment region 54 anda second attachment region 55 that are configured similar to thecorresponding components of the fastening strap 23A in FIG. 2( a).

The wound/bandage protector 50 may be slipped onto an appendage throughthe wound/bandage protector opening 51A so that it covers a wound or abandage on the appendage, or another wound/bandage protector such as theexemplary embodiments in FIGS. 2( a) and 3(a), and the wound/bandageprotector 50 is then secured in place by wrapping the Velcro stretchstrap around the outside of the wound/bandage protector 50 and affixingthe Velcro hook fastener portion 56 of the second strap part 57 to theloop portion of the first strap part 53, the body 51 or the loop portionof the second strap part 57.

FIGS. 6( a)-6(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line II-II′ of a wound/bandage protector 60 according to the presentinvention. The exemplary embodiment of the wound/bandage protector 60has a body portion 61 that is configured as a wrap which may becomprised of super-stretch material similar to the super-stretchmaterial used in the body 21, 31 of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30.The body portion 61 is configured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro®type fastener on both the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 60 and the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 60. The body portion 61 has a length that runs from a firstend 61A to a second end 61B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 61 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 61 to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 61 may, alternatively, provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 61as well as a width of the body portion 61 which is perpendicular to thelength of the body portion 61 to vary.

A gauze port 62A is positioned on or integrated into the body portion 61proximal to the first end of the body portion 61A. The gauze port 62A isan area where a gauze pad 69 may be attached or removably attached tothe wound-facing side of the body portion 61. The gauze port 62A may becomprised of non-stretchable material and may have a surface that isconfigured for repeated removal and attachment of gauze by having eithera hook or loop Velcro® type fastening surface or a surface that providesa good bond with a re-stickable adhesive such as that found in Post-it®notes. Alternatively, both the gauze port 62A and the gauze pad 69 mayhave a low tack adhesive, such as a low tack silicone adhesive. The lowtack adhesive may be on the entire non-wound facing side of the gauzepad 69, or may be just on a portion of the non-wound facing side of thegauze pad 69. Another possibility is that the surface of the gauze port62A may be comprised of an adhesive that allows for the permanentattachment of the gauze pad 69. The gauze port 62A may be used to attachdifferent sized gauze pads 69 as well as to periodically replace thegauze pad 69 in the wound/bandage protector 60 shown in this embodiment.The gauze port 62A may be sized and/or configured so as to attach toall, a substantial portion, or a small portion as illustrated in theFIGS. 6( b) and 6(c), such as one side of the gauze pad 69.

In closer proximity to the first end 61A of the body portion 61 of thewound/bandage protector 60 than the gauze port 62A, is a strip 62, whichmay be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the first embodiment,having one or more threads made of a rubberized material that provides amoderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 62 in such a mannerthat the rubberized material threads are exposed. Alternatively, thestrip 62 may be made of stretch non-slip silicone or similar, preferablylatex free, material that provides a frictional surface. The non-slipsilicone may be applied in a continuous or discontinuous manner to formthe strip 62. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by thefrictional surface of the strip 62 should be one that does not causediscomfort when the wound/bandage protector 60 is worn. The strip 62could be configured so that it is not stretchable in either one or bothof the length or the width directions. The strip 62 may be providedalong the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 60and/or the bottom wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 60.Moreover, the strip 62 may extend around sides of the wound/bandageprotector 60 and along both the top non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 60 and the bottom wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 60 so as to form an annular shape.

A region 63A of the body portion 61 extends from the strip 62 to thefirst end of the body portion 61. On the end region 63A of the first endof the body portion 61A, although not necessarily on the entire endregion 63A, is a first-catch fastener 63 on the top non-wound-facingside of the wound/bandage protector 60. The first-catch fastener 63 isconfigured so as to be capable of fastening with at least a portion ofthe wound facing side of the body portion 61. The first end of the bodyportion 61A may be curved as shown in FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) or straightor any other configuration.

Attached to the second end of the body portion 61B are two fasteningtabs 64A. Each of the fastening tabs 64A may be comprised of two parts.A first tab part 64 is attached to the second end of the wound/bandageprotector body portion 61B and is made out of a super-stretch materialwhich may be adapted to function as a loop portion of a Velcro®-typefastener on both the top non-wound facing side and the bottomwound-facing side of the wound/bandage protector 60. The super-stretchmaterial of the first tab part 64 preferably provides a stretchingresistance that is greater than the stretching resistance of the bodyportion 61. The first tab part 64 may be attached to the second end ofthe wound/bandage protector body portion 61B via an attachment region 65which is preferably configured as a dead zone to provide no stretch. Theattachment region 65 may be comprised of a composite of the material ofthe first tab part 64 and the body portion 61 of the wound/bandageprotector 60 and may be attached by a punch and melt heat seal.Alternatively, the first tab part 64 is directly attached to the bodyportion 61 without an attachment region 65 intervening therebetween.

A second tab part 68 is attached to the first tab part 64 via anattachment region 66. The attachment region 66 is preferably configuredas a dead zone to provide no stretch and may be comprised of a compositeof the material of the first tab part 64 and the second tab part 68 andmay be attached by a punch and melt heat seal. The second tab part 68has a final fastener 67 which includes a Velcro® hook type material onthe bottom wound-facing side of each of the fastening tabs 64A.Alternatively, the second tab part 68 is directly attached to the firsttab part 64 without an attachment region 66 intervening therebetween.There may be a spacing 64B between inner sides of the two fastening tabs64A at the second end of the wound/bandage protector body portion 61B.The shape of the inner sides of the two fastening tabs 64A may becomprised of an arc, an arc combined with a straight line, an angledline, or any other embodiment which would allow for a distance betweenthe two inner sides of the two fastening tabs 64A. The magnitude of thespacing 64B may increase along a length of the fastening tabs 64Arunning from the first tab part 64 to the second tab part 68. The twofastening tabs 64A have lengths 64C running from the second end of thewound/bandage protector body portion 61B to the second tab part 68 whichmay run parallel to each other. The outer sides of the two fasteningtabs 64A may run parallel to each other and may continue the straightlines formed by the sides of the body portion 61 of the wound/bandageprotector 60.

FIGS. 74( a)-74(c) illustrate an exemplary method of using thewound/bandage protector 60. In FIG. 74( a), the wound-facing side of thebody portion 61 of the wound/bandage protector 60 is placed and heldagainst a limb 683. The body portion 61 is then wrapped around the limb683 in a direction such that the wound-facing side 683 of the bodyportion 61 faces the limb 683. Then, as shown in FIG. 74( b) the firstcatch fastener 63 is secured to the wound-facing side 681 of the bodyportion 61. Then, the remainder of the body portion 61 from where thefirst catch fastener 63 is attached to the body portion 61 in thewrapping direction is rotationally extended and, as shown in FIG. 74(c), the final fasteners 67 of the fastening tabs 64A are then fastenedto the non-wound facing side of the body portion 61.

FIG. 60 shows an alternative exemplary configuration of a bottom view ofthe wound/bandage protector 60 according to the present invention. Inthis configuration, instead of the vertical strip 62, there may be ahorizontal strip 62B along or proximal to an upper edge of thewound/bandage protector 60, there may be a horizontal strip 62D along orproximal to a lower edge of the wound/bandage protector 60, and theremay be a horizontal strip 62C at another position between the strips 62Band 62D of the wound/bandage protector 60. There may also be anycombination of these strips, i.e. only strips 62B and 62D, or 62B and62C, or 62C and 62D, or any one of the strips 62B, 62C or 62D. In analternative embodiment not shown in the figure, there may be one or morevertical strips along the bottom wound-facing side of wound/bandage 60rather than horizontal strips. In another alternative embodiment notshown in the figure, rather than vertical or horizontal strips, theentire wound-facing side of the body portion 61 may be provided with alow tack non-slip silicone coating or similar material. According tothis exemplary embodiment, there may be a dead zone 65B at or proximalto the first end 61A, there may be a dead zone 65D at or proximal to thesecond end 61B, and there may be a dead zone 65C preferably at orproximal to the middle of the body portion 61 or at some other positionbetween the dead zone 65B and the dead zone 65D. Alternatively, insteadof or in addition to the strips 62B, 62C and 62D, the dead zones 65B,65C and 65D may be configured as strips as well.

FIGS. 7( a)-7(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line III-III′ of a wound/bandage protector 70 according to thepresent invention. The exemplary embodiment of the wound/bandageprotector 70 has a body portion 71 that is configured as a wrap whichmay be comprised of super-stretch material similar to the super-stretchmaterial used in the body 21, 31 of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30.The body portion 71 is configured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro®type fastener on both the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 70 and the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 70. The body portion 71 has a length that runs from a firstend 71A to a second end 71B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 71 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 71 to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 71 may, alternatively, provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 71as well as a width of the body portion 71 which is perpendicular to thelength of the body portion 71 to vary.

A gauze port 72A is positioned on or integrated into the body portion 71proximal to the first end 71A of the body portion 71. The gauze port 72Ais an area where a gauze pad 79 may be attached or removably attached tothe wound-facing side of the body portion 71. The gauze port 72A may becomprised of non-stretchable material and may have a surface that isconfigured for repeated removal and attachment of gauze by having eithera hook or loop Velcro® type fastening surface or a surface that providesa good bond with a re-stickable adhesive such as that found in Post-it®notes. Alternatively, the surface of the gauze port 72A may be comprisedof an adhesive that allows for the permanent attachment of the gauze pad79. The gauze port 72A may be used to attach different sized gauze pads79 as well as to periodically replace the gauze pad 79 in thewound/bandage protector 70 shown in this embodiment. The gauze port 72Amay be sized and or configured so as to attach to all, a substantialportion, or a small portion such as one side of the gauze pad 79.

In closer proximity to the first end 71A of the body portion 71 of thewound/bandage protector 70 than the gauze port 72A, is a strip 72, whichmay be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the first embodiment,having one or more threads made of a rubberized material that provides amoderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 72 in such a mannerthat the rubberized material threads are exposed. Alternatively, thestrip 72 may be made of other material that provides a frictionalsurface. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by the frictionalsurface of the strip 72 should be one that does not cause discomfortwhen the wound/bandage protector 70 is worn. The strip 72 could beconfigured so that it is not stretchable in either one or both of thelength or the width directions. The strip 72 may be provided along thetop non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 70 and/or thebottom wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 70. Moreover,the strip 72 may extend around sides of the wound/bandage protector 70and along both the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 70 and the bottom wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 70 so as to form an annular shape.

An end region 73A of the body portion 71 extends from the strip 72 tothe first end 71A of the body portion 71. A portion of the end region73A may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution in the width ofthe body portion 71 toward the first end 71A. A tab 75 extends from thefirst end 71A of the body portion 71. The tab 75 may be centered alongthe outer edge of the first end 71A. On the tab 75 is a first-catchfastener 73 on the top non-wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 70 that is configured so as to be capable of fastening withthe wound facing side of the body portion 71. The first-catch fastener73 may also extend onto the end region 73A.

FIGS. 75( a)-75(c) illustrate an exemplary method of using thewound/bandage protector 70. In FIG. 75( a), the wound-facing side of thebody portion 71 of the wound/bandage protector 70 is placed and heldagainst a limb 783. The body portion 71 is then wrapped around the limb783 in a direction such that the wound-facing side 783 of the bodyportion 71 faces the limb 783. Then, as shown in FIG. 75( b) the firstcatch fastener 73 is secured to the wound-facing side 781 of the bodyportion 71. Then, the remainder of the body portion 71 from where thefirst catch fastener 73 is attached to the body portion 71 in thewrapping direction is rotationally extended and, as shown in FIG. 75(c), the final fastener 77 is then fastened to the non-wound facing sideof the body portion 71. It should be noted that in this embodiment, aswell as in other embodiments according to the present invention, thefirst catch fastener may be fastened to a first position on thewound-facing side of the wound/bandage protector that may be on a tab,rather than on the body portion, that is distinct from a location on thetab where a final fastener is located.

On the second end of the body portion 71B are two fastening tabs 74. Thetwo fastening tabs 74 are a continuation of the same piece ofsuper-stretch material as the body portion 71, thus first-catch fastener73 is also configured so as to be capable of fastening with the woundfacing sides of the fastening tabs 74. There may be a spacing 74Bbetween inner sides of the two fastening tabs 74A at the second end ofthe wound/bandage protector body portion 71B. The shape of the innersides of the two fastening tabs 74 may be an angled line as shown inFIGS. 5( a) & 5(b), an arc, an arc combined with a straight line, or anyother configuration which would allow for a distance between the twoinner sides of the two fastening tabs 74. The magnitude of the spacing74B may increase along a length of the fastening tabs 74. The twofastening tabs 74 have lengths 74C running from the second end of thewound/bandage protector body portion 71B to the second tab part 78 whichmay run parallel to each other. Outer sides of the two fastening tabs74A may run parallel to each other and may continue straight linesformed by the sides of the body portion 71 of the wound/bandageprotector 70, as shown in FIGS. 5( a) & 5(b). Alternatively, the outersides of the two fastening tabs 74 may assume a shape that tapersinwardly, toward the inner sides of the fastening tabs 74A, oroutwardly, away from the inner sides of the fastening tabs 74A. A finalfastener 77 of each of the two fastening tabs 74 has a Velcro® hook typematerial on the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandage protector70.

FIGS. 8( a)-8(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line IV-IV′ of a wound/bandage protector 80 according to the presentinvention. The exemplary embodiment of the wound/bandage protector 80has a body portion 81 that is configured as a wrap which may becomprised of super-stretch material similar to the super-stretchmaterial used in the body 21, 31 of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30.The body portion 81 is configured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro®type fastener on both the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 80 and the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 80. The body portion 81 has a length that runs from a firstend 81A to a second end 81B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 81 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 81 to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 81 may, alternatively, provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 81as well as a width of the body portion 81 which is perpendicular to thelength of the body portion 81 to vary.

A gauze port 82A is positioned on or integrated into the body portion 81proximal to the first end 81A of the body portion 81. The gauze port 82Ais an area where a portion of a gauze pad 89 may be attached orremovably attached to the wound-facing side of the body portion 81. Thegauze port 82A may be comprised of non-stretchable material and may havea surface that is configured for repeated removal and attachment ofgauze by having either a hook or loop Velcro® type fastening surface ora surface that provides a good bond with a re-stickable adhesive such asthat found in Post-it® notes. Alternatively, the surface of the gauzeport 82A may be comprised of an adhesive that allows for the permanentattachment of the gauze pad 89. The gauze port 82A may be used to attachdifferent sized gauze pads 89 as well as to periodically replace thegauze pad 89 in the wound/bandage protector 80 shown in this embodiment.The gauze port 82A may be sized and or configured so as to attach toall, a substantial portion, or a small portion such as one side of thegauze pad 89.

In closer proximity to the first end 81A of the body portion 81 of thewound/bandage protector 80 than the gauze port 82A, is a strip 82, whichmay be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the first embodiment,having one or more threads made of a rubberized material that provides amoderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 82 in such a mannerthat the rubberized material threads are exposed. Alternatively, thestrip 82 may be made of other material that provides a frictionalsurface. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by the frictionalsurface of the strip 82 should be one that does not cause discomfortwhen the wound/bandage protector 80 is worn. The strip 82 could beconfigured so that it is not stretchable in either one or both of thelength or the width directions. The strip 82 may be provided along thetop non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 80 and/or thebottom wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 80. Moreover,the strip 82 may extend around sides of the wound/bandage protector 80and along both the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 80 and the bottom wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 80 so as to form an annular shape.

An end region 83A of the body portion 81 extends from the strip 82 tothe first end 81A of the body portion 81. A portion of the end region83A may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution in the width ofthe body portion 81 toward the first end 81A. A tab 85 extends from thefirst end 81A of the body portion 81. The tab 85 may be centered alongthe outer edge of the first end 81A. On the tab 85 is a first-catchfastener 83 on the top non-wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 80. The first-catch fastener 83 may also extend onto the endregion 83A.

A second end region 88 extends along the body portion 81 from a pointalong the length of the body portion 81 that is proximal to the secondend 81B of the body portion 81, to the second end 81B. A portion of theend region 88 may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution inthe width of the body portion 81 toward the second end 81B. On thesecond end region 88, although not necessarily on the entire second endregion 88, is a final fastener 84 that can engage and hold fast to thebody portion 81 on the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 80, or a portion thereof. The final fastener 84 may be made ofa Velcro® hook type material provided on the bottom wound-facing side ofthe wound/bandage protector 80.

FIGS. 76( a)-76(c) illustrate an exemplary method of using thewound/bandage protector 80. In FIG. 76( a), the wound-facing side of thebody portion 81 of the wound/bandage protector 70 is placed and heldagainst a limb 783. The body portion 81 is then wrapped around the limb783 in a direction such that the wound-facing side 783 of the bodyportion 81 faces the limb 883. Then, as shown in FIG. 76( b) the firstcatch fastener 83 is secured to the wound-facing side 881 of the bodyportion 71. Then, the remainder of the body portion 71 from where thefirst catch fastener 73 is attached to the body portion 71 in thewrapping direction is rotationally extended and, as shown in FIG. 76(c), the final fastener 84 is then fastened to the non-wound facing side882 of the body portion 81.

FIGS. 9( a)-9(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line V-V′ of a wound/bandage protector 90 according to the presentinvention. The exemplary embodiment of the wound/bandage protector 90has a body portion 91 that is configured as a wrap which may becomprised of super-stretch material similar to the super-stretchmaterial used in the body 21, 31 of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30.The body portion 91 is configured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro®type fastener on both the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 90 and the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 90. The body portion 91 has a length that runs from a firstend 91A to a second end 91B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 91 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 91 to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 91 may, alternatively, provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 91as well as a width of the body portion 91 which is perpendicular to thelength of the body portion 91 to vary.

A gauze panel 92A is positioned on or integrated into the body portion91 proximal to the first end 91A of the body portion 91. The gauze panel92A is an area where all or substantially all of a gauze pad 99 may beattached or removably attached to the wound-facing side of the bodyportion 91. The gauze panel 92A may be comprised of non-stretchablematerial and may have a surface that is configured for repeated removaland attachment of gauze by having either a hook or loop Velcro® typefastening surface or a surface that provides a good bond with are-stickable adhesive such as that found in Post-it® notes.Alternatively, the surface of the gauze panel 92A may be comprised of anadhesive that allows for the permanent attachment of the gauze pad 99.The gauze panel 92A may be used to attach different sized gauze pads 99as well as to periodically replace the gauze pad 99 in the wound/bandageprotector 90 shown in this embodiment.

In closer proximity to the first end 91A of the body portion 91 of thewound/bandage protector 90 than the gauze panel 92A, may be a strip 92,which may be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the firstembodiment, having one or more threads made of a rubberized materialthat provides a moderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 92in such a manner that the rubberized material threads are exposed.Alternatively, the strip 92 may be made of other material that providesa frictional surface. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by thefrictional surface of the strip 92 should be one that does not causediscomfort when the wound/bandage protector 90 is worn. The strip 92could be configured so that it is not stretchable in either one or bothof the length or the width directions. The strip 92 may be providedalong the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 90and/or the bottom wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 90.Moreover, the strip 92 may extend around sides of the wound/bandageprotector 90 and along both the top non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 90 and the bottom wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 90 so as to form an annular shape.

An end region 93A of the body portion 91 extends from the strip 92 tothe first end 91A of the body portion 91. A portion of the end region93A may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution in the width ofthe body portion 91 toward the first end 91A. A tab 95 extends from thefirst end 91A of the body portion 91. The tab 95 may be centered alongthe outer edge of the first end 91A. On the tab 95 is a first-catchfastener 93 on the top non-wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 90. The first-catch fastener 93 may also extend onto the endregion 93A.

A second end region 98 extends along the body portion 91 from a pointalong the length of the body portion 91 that is proximal to the secondend 91B of the body portion 91, to the second end 91B. A portion of theend region 98 may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution inthe width of the body portion 91 toward the second end 91B. On thesecond end region 98, although not necessarily on the entire second endregion 98, is a final fastener 94 that can engage and hold fast to thebody portion 91 on the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 90, or a portion thereof. The final fastener 94 may be made ofa Velcro® hook type material provided on the bottom wound-facing side ofthe wound/bandage protector 90.

FIGS. 10( a)-10(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line VI-VI′ of a wound/bandage protector 100 according to thepresent invention. The exemplary embodiment of the wound/bandageprotector 100 has a body portion 101 that is configured as a wrap, whichmay be comprised of super-stretch material similar to the super-stretchmaterial used in the body 21, 31 of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30.The body portion 101 is configured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro®type fastener on both the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 100 and the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 100. The body portion 101 has a length that runs from a firstend 101A to a second end 101B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 101 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 101 to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 101 may, alternatively, provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 101as well as a width of the body portion 101 which is perpendicular to thelength of the body portion 101 to vary.

A gauze panel 102A is positioned on or integrated into the body portion101 proximal to the first end 101A of the body portion 101. The gauzepanel 102A is an area where all or substantially all of a gauze pad 109may be attached or removably attached to the wound-facing side of thebody portion 101. The gauze panel 102A may be comprised ofnon-stretchable material and may have a surface that is configured forrepeated removal and attachment of gauze by having either a hook or loopVelcro® type fastening surface or a surface that provides a good bondwith a re-stickable adhesive such as that found in Post-it® notes.Alternatively, the surface of the gauze panel 102A may be comprised ofan adhesive that allows for the permanent attachment of the gauze pad109. The gauze panel 102A may be used to attach different sized gauzepads 109 as well as to periodically replace the gauze pad 109 in thewound/bandage protector 100 shown in this embodiment.

In closer proximity to the first end 101A of the body portion 101 of thewound/bandage protector 100 than the gauze panel 102A, may be a strip102, which may be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the firstembodiment, having one or more threads made of a rubberized materialthat provides a moderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 102in such a manner that the rubberized material threads are exposed.Alternatively, the strip 102 may be made of other material that providesa frictional surface. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by thefrictional surface of the strip 102 should be one that does not causediscomfort when the wound/bandage protector 100 is worn. The strip 102could be configured so that it is not stretchable in either one or bothof the length or the width directions. The strip 102 may be providedalong the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 100and/or the bottom wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 100.Moreover, the strip 102 may extend around sides of the wound/bandageprotector 100 and along both the top non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 100 and the bottom wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 100 so as to form an annular shape.

An end region 103A of the body portion 101 extends from the strip 102 tothe first end 101A of the body portion 101. A portion of the end region103A may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution in the widthof the body portion 101 toward the first end 101A. A tab 105 extendsfrom the first end 101A of the body portion 101. The tab 105 may becentered along the outer edge of the first end 101A. On the tab 105 is afirst-catch fastener 103 on the top non-wound-facing side of thewound/bandage protector 100. The first-catch fastener 103 may alsoextend onto the end region 103A.

Attached to the second end of the body portion 101B is a fastening tab104A. The fastening tab 104A may be comprised of two parts. A first tabpart 104 is attached to the second end of the wound/bandage protectorbody portion 101B and is made out of a super-stretch material which maybe adapted to function as a loop portion of a Velcro®-type fastener onboth the top non-wound facing side and the bottom wound-facing side ofthe wound/bandage protector 100. The super-stretch material of the firsttab part 104 preferably provides a stretching resistance that is greaterthan the stretching resistance of the body portion 101. The first tabpart 104 may be attached to the second end of the wound/bandageprotector body portion 101B via an attachment region 105 which ispreferably configured to provide no stretch. The attachment region 105may be comprised of a composite of the material of the first tab part104 and the body portion 101 of the wound/bandage protector 100 and maybe attached by a punch and melt heat seal. Alternatively, the first tabpart 104 is directly attached to the body portion 101 without anattachment region 105 intervening therebetween. A second tab part 108 isattached to the first tab part 104 via an attachment region 106. Theattachment region 106 may be comprised of a composite of the material ofthe first tab part 104 and the second tab part 108 and may be attachedby a punch and melt heat seal. The second tab part 108 has a portion 107which includes a Velcro® hook type material on the bottom wound-facingside of the fastening tab 104A. Alternatively, the second tab part 108is directly attached to the first tab part 104 without an attachmentregion 106 intervening therebetween.

FIGS. 11( a)-11(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line VII-VII′ of a wound/bandage protector 110 according to thepresent invention. The exemplary embodiment of the wound/bandageprotector 110 has a body portion 111 that is configured as a wrap, whichmay be comprised of super-stretch material similar to the super-stretchmaterial used in the body 21, 31 of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30.The body portion 111 is configured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro®type fastener on both the bottom wound-facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 110 and the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 110. The body portion 111 has a length that runs from a firstend 111A to a second end 111B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 111 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 111 to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 111 may, alternatively, provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 111as well as a width of the body portion 111 which is perpendicular to thelength of the body portion 111 to vary.

A gauze port 112A is attached to the body portion 111 proximal to thefirst end 111A of the body portion 111. The gauze port 112A is an areawhere a portion of a gauze pad 119 may be attached or removably attachedto the wound-facing side of the body portion 111. The gauze port 112Amay be comprised of non-stretchable material and may have a surface thatis configured for repeated removal and attachment of gauze by havingeither a hook or loop Velcro® type fastening surface or a surface thatprovides a good bond with a re-stickable adhesive such as that found inPost-it® notes. Alternatively, the surface of the gauze port 112A may becomprised of an adhesive that allows for the permanent attachment of thegauze pad 119. The gauze port 112A may be used to attach different sizedgauze pads 119 as well as to periodically replace the gauze pad 119 inthe wound/bandage protector 110 shown in this embodiment. The gauze port112A may be sized and or configured so as to attach to all, asubstantial portion, or a small portion such as one side of the gauzepad 119.

In closer proximity to the first end 111A of the body portion 111 of thewound/bandage protector 110 than the gauze port 112A, may be a strip112, which may be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the firstembodiment, having one or more threads made of a rubberized materialthat provides a moderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 112in such a manner that the rubberized material threads are exposed.Alternatively, the strip 112 may be made of other material that providesa frictional surface. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by thefrictional surface of the strip 112 should be one that does not causediscomfort when the wound/bandage protector 110 is worn. The strip 112could be configured so that it is not stretchable in either one or bothof the length or the width directions. The strip 112 may be providedalong the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 110and/or the bottom wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 110.Moreover, the strip 112 may extend around sides of the wound/bandageprotector 110 and along both the top non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 110 and the bottom wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 110 so as to form an annular shape.

An end region 113A of the body portion 111 extends from the strip 112 tothe first end 111A of the body portion 111. A portion of the end region113A may be tapered so as to provide a gradual diminution in the widthof the body portion 111 toward the first end 111A. A tab 115 extendsfrom the first end 111A of the body portion 111. The tab 115 may becentered along the outer edge of the first end 111A. On the tab 115 is afirst-catch fastener 113 on the top non-wound-facing side of thewound/bandage protector 110. The first-catch fastener 113 may alsoextend onto the end region 113A.

Attached to the second end of the body portion 111B is a fastening tab114A. The fastening tab 114A may be comprised of two parts. A first tabpart 114 is attached to the second end of the wound/bandage protectorbody portion 111B and is made out of a super-stretch material which maybe adapted to function as a loop portion of a Velcro®-type fastener onboth the top non-wound facing side and the bottom wound-facing side ofthe wound/bandage protector 110. The super-stretch material of the firsttab part 114 preferably provides a stretching resistance that is greaterthan the stretching resistance of the body portion 111. The first tabpart 114 may be attached to the second end of the wound/bandageprotector body portion 111B via an attachment region 115 which ispreferably configured to provide no stretch. The attachment region 115may be comprised of a composite of the material of the first tab part114 and the body portion 111 of the wound/bandage protector 110 and maybe attached by a punch and melt heat seal. Alternatively, the first tabpart 114 is directly attached to the body portion 111 without anattachment region 115 intervening therebetween. A second tab part 118 isattached to the first tab part 114 via an attachment region 116. Theattachment region 116 may be comprised of a composite of the material ofthe first tab part 114 and the second tab part 118 and may be attachedby a punch and melt heat seal. The second tab part 118 has a portion 117which includes a Velcro® hook type material on the bottom wound-facingside of the fastening tab 114A. Alternatively, the second tab part 118is directly attached to the first tab part is 114 without an attachmentregion 116 intervening therebetween.

FIGS. 58( a) and 58(b) are, respectively, a top view and a sidecross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII′ of an exemplaryembodiment of a frictional gauze pad 580 according to the presentinvention. The frictional gauze pad 580 has a pad portion 581 and aframe 582. The pad portion 581 may be comprised of materials similar tothat of the frictional gauze pads discussed above. The frame 582 isattached to and extends from the edge of the pad portion 581. The frame582 may be comprised of a self-adherent material or a rubberized ortacky material and may have a similar configuration as the strip 62 inFIG. 6( a) above. The frictional gauze pad 580 can be used instead of agauze port or similar method of securing the gauze in place by providinga frictional or similar resistance between the frame 582 of thefrictional gauze pad 580 and a bandage and/or a frictional or similarresistance between the frictional gauze pad 580 and the area surroundingthe wound. Thus, for example, in the wound/bandage protector 60, in lieuof providing a gauze port 62A, one may use the frictional gauze pad 580.In addition, the wound/bandage protector 60 may be further configured toinclude a corresponding self-adherent material or a rubberized or tackysurface on the wound facing side of the body portion 61 to furtherenhance the frictional or similar resistance between the wound/bandageprotector 60 and the frictional gauze pad 580. One skilled in the artwould understand that this frictional gauze pad 580 may be applied toany and all of the bandages discussed above as well as to other bandagesknown in the art.

FIGS. 59( a)-(e) show alternative exemplary embodiments of a frictionalgauze pad according to the present invention. FIG. 59( a) may be a topview and/or a bottom view of a gauze pad 590 with a pad portion 591 anda frame 592. The pad portion 591 may be comprised of materials similarto that of the frictional gauze pad 290, discussed above. The frame 592may be affixed to the top and/or bottom surface of the pad portion 591.Alternatively, the frame 592 may be attached to and extend from the edgeof the pad portion 591. The frame 592 may be comprised of aself-adherent material or a rubberized or tacky material. FIG. 59( b) isa side cross-sectional view of one alternative embodiment of africtional gauze pad 590B, with a frame 592B, that has the sameconfiguration as the frame 592, attached to the top surface of a padportion 591B of the frictional gauze pad 590B. FIG. 59( c) is a sidecross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a frictionalgauze pad 590C, with a frame 592C, that has the same configuration asthe frame 592, attached to the bottom surface of a pad portion 591C ofthe frictional gauze pad 590C. FIG. 59( d) is a side cross-sectionalview of another alternative embodiment of a frictional gauze pad 590D,with a frame 592D, that has the same configuration as the frame 592,attached to both the top surface and the bottom surface of a pad portion591D of the frictional gauze pad 590D. FIG. 59( e) is a sidecross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a frictionalgauze pad 590E in which a frame 592E is extended to cover the entire topsurface of a pad portion 591E. This embodiment may be combined with thefrictional gauze pad 590C in which the frame 592C is attached to thebottom of the pad portion 591C.

FIGS. 66( a)-66(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a side view of a wound/bandage protector660 according to the present invention. The exemplary embodiment of thewound/bandage protector 660 has a body portion 661 that is configured asa wrap which may be comprised of super-stretch material similar to thesuper-stretch material used in the body 21, 31 of the bandagemittens/socks 20, 30. The body portion 661 is configured to act as aloop portion of a Velcro® type fastener on both the bottom wound-facingside of the wound/bandage protector 660 and the top non-wound facingside of the wound/bandage protector 660. The body portion 661 has alength that runs from a first end 661A to a second end 661B. Thestretchable material of the body portion 661 at least provides suchstretching capacity in a manner that allows the length of the bodyportion 661 to vary. The stretchable material of the body portion 661may, alternatively, provide such stretching capacity that allows boththe length of the body portion 661 as well as a width of the bodyportion 661 which is perpendicular to the length of the body portion 661to vary.

A gauze port 662 is positioned on or integrated into the body portion661 proximal to the first end of the body portion 661A. The gauze port662A is an area where a gauze pad 669 may be attached or removablyattached to the wound-facing side of the body portion 661. The gauzeport 662 may be comprised of non-stretchable material and may have asurface that is configured for repeated removal and attachment of gauzeby having either a hook or loop Velcro® type fastening surface or asurface that provides a good bond with a re-stickable adhesive such asthat found in Post-it® notes. Alternatively, both the gauze port 662 andthe gauze pad 669 may have a low tack adhesive, such as a low tacksilicone adhesive. The low tack adhesive may be on the entire non-woundfacing side of the gauze pad 669, or may be just on a portion of thenon-wound facing side of the gauze pad 669. Another possibility is thatthe surface of the gauze port 662 may be comprised of an adhesive thatallows for the permanent attachment of the gauze pad 669. The gauze port662 may be used to attach different sized gauze pads 669 as well as toperiodically replace the gauze pad 669 in the wound/bandage protector660 shown in this embodiment. The gauze port 662 may be sized and/orconfigured so as to attach to all, a substantial portion, or a smallportion as illustrated in the FIGS. 66( b) and 66(c), such as one sideof the gauze pad 669.

In closer proximity to the first end 661A of the body portion 661 of thewound/bandage protector 660 than the gauze port 662A, is a strip 668,which may be similar in configuration to the strip 4 in the firstembodiment, having one or more threads made of a rubberized materialthat provides a moderate amount of friction interwoven in the strip 668in such a manner that the rubberized material threads are exposed.Alternatively, the strip 668 may be made of stretch non-slip silicone orsimilar, preferably latex free, material that provides a frictionalsurface. The non-slip silicone may be applied in a continuous ordiscontinuous manner to form the strip 668. Preferably, the amount offriction provided by the frictional surface of the strip 668 should beone that does not cause discomfort when the wound/bandage protector 660is worn. The strip 668 could be configured so that it is not stretchablein either one or both of the length or the width directions. The strip668 may be provided along the top non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 660 and/or the bottom wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 660. Moreover, the strip 668 may extend aroundsides of the wound/bandage protector 660 and along both the topnon-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 660 and the bottomwound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 660 so as to form anannular shape.

A first tab 664A extends from the first end 661A of the body portion 661along, or proximal and substantially with, a line tangential to a lowerside 661C of the body portion 661. On the wound facing side of the firsttab 664A is a first-attachment region 666 that preferably extends to orproximal to an end of the first tab 664A that is distal to the bodyportion 661. The first-attachment region 666 is capable of fastening toa portion of the non-wound facing side of the body portion 661. A secondtab 664B extends from the second end 661A of the body portion 661 along,or proximal and substantially with, a line tangential to an upper side661D of the body portion 661. On the wound facing side of the second tab664A is a second-attachment region 667 that preferably extends to orproximal to an end of the second tab 664B that is distal to the bodyportion 661. The second-attachment region 666 is capable of fastening toa portion of the non-wound facing side of the body portion 661. In thewound/bandage protector 660 the first and second tabs 664A, 664B aremade of the same integral piece of material as the body portion.However, in other alternative embodiments the first and second tabs664A, 664B may be constructed in the manner described herein by tabs inother exemplary embodiments of the wound bandage protector. Thefirst-attachment region 666 and second attachment region 667 arepreferably a hook portion of a Velcro®-type fastener, while thenon-wound facing side of the body portion 661 preferably acts as a loopportion of a Velcro®-type fastener. On the top non-wound-facing side ofthe wound/bandage protector 660 proximal or adjacent to the first end661A of the body portion is a first-catch fastener 663. The first-catchfastener 663 extends between the upper side 661D and the lower side 661Cat least along a portion that is opposing the second tab 664B, such thatwhen the wound/bandage protector 660 is wrapped around a limb a portionof the wound facing side of the second tab 664B may fasten to thefirst-catch fastener 663. The first-catch fastener 663 is preferably ahook portion of a Velcro®-type fastener, while the wound facing side ofthe second tab 664B preferably acts as a loop portion of a Velcro®-typefastener.

FIGS. 61( a)-61(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line XIV-XIV′ of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandageprotector 610 according to the present invention. The exemplaryembodiment of the wound/bandage protector 610 has a body portion 611that is configured as a wrap which may be comprised of super-stretchmaterial similar to the super-stretch material used in the body 21, 31of the bandage mittens/socks 20, 30. The body portion 611 is configuredto act as a loop portion of a Velcro® type fastener on both the bottomwound-facing side of the wound/bandage protector 610 and the topnon-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 610. The bodyportion 611 has a length that runs from a first end 611A to a second end611B with a first end region 613A that extends along the length of thebody portion 611 from the first end 611A to a central region 615, thecentral region extending along the length of the body portion from thefirst end region 613A to a second end region 613B, and the second endregion extending along the length of the body portion from the centralregion 615 to the second end 611B. The stretchable material of the bodyportion 611 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner thatallows the length of the body portion 611, i.e. the distance between thefirst end 611A and the second end 611B, to vary. The stretchablematerial of the body portion 611 may alternatively provide suchstretching capacity that allows both the length of the body portion 611as well as a width of the body portion 611, which is perpendicular tothe length of the body portion 611, to vary.

A gauze port 612 is preferably positioned on or integrated into thecentral region 615 of the body portion 611 adjacent or proximal to thefirst end region 613A. The gauze port 612 is an area where a portion ofa gauze pad 619 may be attached or removably attached to thewound-facing side of the body portion 611. The gauze port 612 may becomprised of non-stretchable material and may have a surface at least onthe wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector 610 that isconfigured for repeated removal and attachment of gauze by having eithera hook or loop Velcro® type fastening surface or that provides a goodbond with a re-stickable adhesive such as that found in Post-it® notes.Alternatively, the surface of the gauze port 612 at least on the woundfacing side of the wound/bandage protector 610 may be configured forpermanent attachment of the gauze pad 619 to the body portion such as bypermanent adhesive. The gauze port 612 may be used to attach differentsized gauze pads 619 as well as to periodically replace the gauze pad619 in the wound/bandage protector 610 shown in this embodiment. Thegauze port 612 may be sized and/or configured so as to attach to all, asubstantial portion, or a small portion such as one side of the gauzepad 619.

The first end region 613A is tapered so as to provide a gradualdiminution in the width of the body portion 611 as the first end regionextends in a length direction toward the first end 611A. On the firstend region 613A, although not necessarily on the entire first end region613A, is a final fastener 614 that can engage and hold fast to the bodyportion 611 on the top non-wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector 610, or a portion thereof. The final fastener 614 may be madeof a Velcro® hook type material provided on the bottom wound-facing sideof the wound/bandage protector 610. The final fastener 614 preferablyextends to the first end 611A.

The second end region 613B is tapered so as to provide a gradualdiminution in the width of the body portion 611 as the second end regionextends in a length direction toward the second end 611B. On the woundfacing side of the second end region 613B is a frictional portion 616that provides resistance to motion between the wound/bandage protector610 and a surface to which it is applied, such as skin, hair, or fur.The frictional portion 616 may have one or more threads made of arubberized material that provides a moderate amount of frictioninterwoven in the frictional portion 616 in such a manner that therubberized material threads are exposed. Alternatively, the frictionalportion 616 may be made of a material or a coating that provides africtional surface. Preferably, the amount of friction provided by thefrictional surface of the frictional portion 616 should be one that doesnot cause discomfort when the wound/bandage protector 610 is worn. Thefrictional portion 616 may, alternatively, be positioned between thegauze port 612 and the first end region 613A, similar to the strip 62 inthe exemplary wound/bandage protector 6 as well as other exemplaryembodiments of wound/bandage protectors provided herein. Alternatively,the frictional portion 616 may be provided on another portion of thewound-facing side of the wound/bandage protector 610 that does notconflict with the gauze pad 619, the gauze port 612, or the finalfastener 614. Similarly, the other exemplary embodiments ofwound/bandage protectors provided herein may have a frictional portionpositioned in a similar or equivalent manner as that of wound/bandageprotector 610. In addition, the frictional portion 616 of wound/bandageprotector 610 may be provided along the top non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 610 and/or the bottom wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 610.

On the second end region 613B is a first-catch fastener 613 on thenon-wound-facing side of the wound/bandage protector 610. Thefirst-catch fastener 613 preferably extends to the second end 611B. Thefirst-catch fastener 613 may be made of a Velcro® hook type material sothat the first-catch fastener 613 may securely fasten to a portion ofthe wound facing side of the body portion 611 when the wound/bandageprotector 610 is being secured. Thus the first-catch fastener 613, as inall the exemplary wound/bandage protector embodiments disclosed herein,allows for initially securing the wound/bandage protector 610 around alimb by fastening at a first location and then for further tighteningand/or securing of the wound/bandage protector 610 by fastening thefinal fastener 614 to a portion of the non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 610 at a second location.

FIGS. 62( a)-62(c) are, respectively, a top non-wound-facing view, abottom wound facing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken alongthe line XV-XV′ of an exemplary bandage wrap protector/holder 620according to the present invention. The exemplary embodiment of thebandage wrap protector/holder 620 has a body portion 621 that ispreferably comprised of super-stretch material similar to thesuper-stretch material used in the body 21, 31 of the bandagemittens/socks 20, 30. If the bandage wrap protector/holder 620 isprimarily intended to be used as a bandage holder, then thesuper-stretch material of the body portion 621 may have a relativelyhigh elastic modulus. If the bandage wrap protector/holder 620 isprimarily intended to be used as a bandage protector, then thesuper-stretch material of the body portion 621 may have a relatively lowelastic modulus. In the exemplary embodiment, the body portion 621 isconfigured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro® type fastener on boththe bottom wound-facing side of the bandage wrap protector/holder 620and the top non-wound facing side of the bandage wrap protector/holder620. Alternatively, the bandage wrap protector/holder 620 may beconfigured to act as a loop portion of a Velcro® type fastener only onthe top non-wound facing side of the bandage wrap protector/holder 620or the bandage wrap protector/holder 620 may not be configured to act asa loop portion of a Velcro® type fastener at all. The body portion 621has a length that runs from a first end 621A to a second end 621B with afirst end region 623A that extends along the length of the body portion621 from the first end 621A to a central region 625, the central region625 extending along the length of the body portion from the first endregion 623A to a second end region 623B, and the second end regionextending along the length of the body portion from the central region625 to the second end 621B. The stretchable material of the body portion621 at least provides such stretching capacity in a manner that allowsthe length of the body portion 621 to vary. The stretchable material ofthe body portion 621 may, alternatively, provide such stretchingcapacity that allows both the length of the body portion 621 as well asa width of the body portion 621 which is perpendicular to the length ofthe body portion 621 to vary. Both the first end region 623A and thesecond end region 623B are preferably tapered so as to provide a gradualdiminution in the width of the body portion 621 as the first and secondend regions 623A, 623B extend lengthwise from the central region 625. Onthe wound facing side of the bandage wrap protector/holder 620 both thefirst and second end regions 623A, 623B have fastening portions 624A,624B that are configured as hook portions of a Velcro® type fastener.The fastening portions 624A, 624B preferably extend to the first andsecond ends 621A, 621B, respectively.

The exemplary bandage wrap protector/holder 620 may be used in severalways. First, the bandage wrap protector/holder 620 may be used asbandage holder. For example, a limb with a wound that is wrapped with abandaging material wrap (similar to a regular Ace-type bandage) that canact as a loop portion of a Velcro® type fastener on a non-wound/limbfacing side of the bandaging material wrap may be kept closed by thebandage wrap protector/holder 620. (For all exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein, other types of fasteners may be implemented and,therefore, for whatever type of fastener is implemented for the bandagewrap protector/holder 620, a complementary fastener would be implementedon the bandaging material wrap.) In such a case, the bandage wrapprotector/holder 620 may be secured by one of the fastening portions624A, 624B to a non-wound/limb facing side of the bandaging materialwrap on or close to the external/exposed end of the bandaging materialwrap. The wrap protector/holder 620 then is extended rotationally aroundthe bandaging material wrap in the same direction as the bandagingmaterial wrap was wound around the limb and then the other one of thefastening portions 624A, 624B may then be secured to anotherexternal/exposed portion of the bandaging material wrap. Alternatively,the wrap protector/holder 620 may be extended entirely around thecircumference of the limb and then the other one of the fasteningportions 624A, 624B may then be secured to a non-wound facing side ofthe body portion 621 of the wrap protector/holder 620. In this case, thebody portion 621 preferably has a width that is greater than the widthof the bandaging material wrap so as to completely cover and protect thebandaging material wrap. It is also preferable in this case that thebody portion 621 of the wrap protector/holder 620 be comprised ofmaterial that is breathable and water resistant.

Alternatively, the wrap protector/holder 620 may be used as a firstcatch fastener/holder for the bandaging material wrap by securing one ofthe fastening portions 624A, 624B to the wound/limb facing side of thebandaging material wrap on or close to the internal/covered end of thebandaging material wrap. The bandaging material wrap may then be wrappedaround the circumference of the limb by first extending length-wise awayfrom the body portion 621 and attaching to the wrap protector/holder 620via the other one of the fastening portions 624A, 624B. Furthermore, thewrap protector/holder 620 may be used in conjunction with one or morefastening bases to cover a wound/bandage.

FIGS. 65( a)-(c) illustrate a top non-wound-facing view, a bottom woundfacing view, and a cross-sectional side view taken along the lineXVII-XVII′ of a wound/bandage protector 650, which is an alternativearrangement for the wound/bandage protector 610. In this alternativearrangement, all the elements and structural limitations are the same,except that the frictional portion 326 is positioned on the bottom woundfacing side of the wound/bandage protector 650 between the gauze port322 and the first end 321A, i.e. preferably within the first end region323A and the first-catch fastener 323 on the non-wound-facing side ofthe wound/bandage protector 610 within the first end region 323A, whilethe final fastener 324 is positioned on the wound-facing side of thewound/bandage protector 610 within the second end region 323B. Inaddition, a portion of the frictional portion 326 may also provide thenecessary functionality of the gauze port 322.

Often IV tubes or wires and other conduits need to be kept in place on apatient. Generally this is done with cumbersome and irritating methodsusing tape. Others, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,245, Hubbard et al.,have devised straps with a built-in belt-like wraparound holder, whileU.S. Pat. No. 5,292,312, Delk et al., discloses a belt-like wraparoundholder that fastens to a base with hook and loop fastener, with the baseadhesively attached to a patient. These holders have many disadvantages,the most critical being that they do not provide sufficient stabilitythat is necessary in many instances. These holders allow tubes and wiresto be especially susceptible to lateral movement due to inherentinstability in the loop formed by the belt-like wraparound holders. Theyare also susceptible to axial movement if the belt-like wraparoundholder is not sufficiently tightened and due to the fact that theconfiguration of the attachment of the belt-like wraparound holders tothe strap in Hubbard and the base in Delk are not sufficiently anchored.

FIGS. 67( a) and 67(b) show a bottom-side and a top-side view,respectively of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protectoraccessory holder 670. The following discussion of the accessory holder670 will be with reference to its use with wound/bandage protector 6.However, it should be readily understood that the accessory holder 670and other accessory holder configurations may be used with otherwound/bandage configurations according to the present inventionincluding the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. In particular, thewound/bandage embodiments with a body portion configured as a wrap andsuch embodiments do not necessarily have to include such elements thatare not relevant to the wound/bandage protector's functionality as anaccessory holder such as a gauze pad or gauze port. The accessory holder670 is an elongate piece of flexible material with a narrow end 672 anda wide end 673. In the wide end is a slit 674 through which the narrowend 672 may extend through. An entire bottom side surface 671 is hook ofa hook and loop fastener that can fasten with the non-wound facing sideof the wound/bandage protector 6, while an entire top side surface 675is a high friction-type tacky surface. As with all other discussionregarding hook and loop fastener, it should be readily understood thatthe hook and loop portion locations may be reversed and other types offastening systems may be used.

FIGS. 68( a)-68(c) illustrates an exemplary method of using theaccessory holder 670 with the wound/bandage protector 60. FIG. 68( a) isa side view of the wound/bandage protector 6, illustrating only therelevant elements thereof, as it is first being wrapped around a limb683 but before the wound/bandage protector 60 is fastened.

In FIG. 68( b) the first catch fastener 63 is fastened with a woundfacing side 681 of the body portion 61. Prior to mounting the accessoryholder 670 on the body portion 61, the accessory holder 670 may bewrapped around a tube or wire 691 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 69.With the top side 675 of the accessory holder 670 oriented toward thetube or wire 691, the narrow end 672 is bent up (i.e. towards and overthe tube or wire 691) and then around the tube or wire 691. A loop 692is then formed around the tube or wire 691 by inserting and extendingthe narrow end 672 through the slit 674, the top side surface 675 facinginward toward the tube or wire 691. The accessory holder 670 may then bemounted to wound/bandage protector 6, by fastening the bottom sidesurface 671 with the non-wound facing side 682 of the body portion 61.

As illustrated in FIG. 68( c), once the accessory holder 670 is inplace, the final fastener 67 of the fastening tab 64A is fastened to thenon-wound facing side 682 of the body portion 61; the fastening tab 64Aand the portion of the body portion 61 from where the first catchfastener 63 is fastened to the fastening tab 64A may be stretched andpulled to tighten the wound/bandage protector 6. The body portion 61and/or the fastening tab 64A thereby cover the accessory holder 670. Theportion of the top side surface 675 not within the loop 692 and anexposed portion of the bottom side surface 671 on top of the loop 692then hold with the tacky surface to the wound facing side 681 of thebody portion 61 or the wound facing side of the fastening tab 64A. In analternative exemplary method, the accessory holder 670 may be firstpartially mounted on the wound/bandage protector 60 at any point beforethe portion 67 of the fastening tab 64A is fastened with the non-woundfacing side 682 of the body portion 61 and then looped around the tubeor wire 691. In an alternative exemplary configuration of the accessoryholder 670, a portion of the top side surface 675 may be configured ashook and loop fastener that can fasten with the wound facing side of thebody portion 61 and/or the fastening tab 64A, not including the portion67 of the fastening tab 64A, which fastens with the non-wound facingside 682 of the body portion 61, such that a portion of the top sidesurface 675 not within the loop 692 may fasten with the wound facingside 681 of the body portion. It should be noted that accessory holdersaccording to the present invention may alternatively mount to a woundfacing side, rather than a non-wound-facing side, of a wound/bandageprotector between a first location where the first catch fastenerfastens with the wound/bandage protector, and a second location wherethe final fastener fastens with the wound-bandage protector.Alternatively, the super stretch tube 1, any wound/bandage protectoraccording to the present invention, or other possible substrate, may beused to mount an accessory holder thereupon and the wrapprotector/holder 620 may then be fastened to the super stretch tube 1,wound/bandage protector or other substrate over the accessory holder.Moreover, the method disclosed here of mounting a tube or wire may alsobe implemented without an accessory holder.

FIG. 70( a) shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an accessoryholder 700 according to the present invention. The accessory holder 700is configured the same way as discussed above by accessory holder 670,with the element numbers and configuration being the same except asspecified. In contrast to accessory holder 670, the accessory holder 700may be configured such that a bottom middle portion 701 of the bottomside surface 671 is configured as a tacky surface with the otherremaining portions still being configured as hook of hook and loop typefastener that can fasten with the non-wound facing side 682 of the bodyportion 61. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 71 the top side surface 675may be configured with a top middle portion 702 that is hook of a hookand loop fastener that can fasten with the non-wound facing side 682 ofthe of the body portion 61.

The accessory holder 700 may be wrapped around a tube or wire 691 in themanner illustrated in FIG. 71. The bottom side 671 of the accessoryholder 700 is oriented toward the tube or wire 691, the narrow end 672is bent down (i.e. towards and under the tube or wire 691) and thenaround the tube or wire 691. A loop 692 is then formed around the tubeor wire 691 by inserting and extending the narrow end 672 through theslit 674, the bottom middle portion 701 facing inward toward the tube orwire 691. Once the portion 67 of the fastening tab 64A is fastened tothe non-wound facing side 682 of the body portion 61, the top sidesurface 675 may then frictionally hold to the wound facing side 681 ofthe body portion 61. If configured, additionally with the top middleportion 702, then an exposed portion of the top middle portion 702 (notshown in FIG. 70) may fasten with the wound facing side 681 of the bodyportion 61 and/or the wound facing side of the fastening tab 64A, notincluding the portion 67 of the fastening tab 64A, which fastens withthe non-wound facing side 682 of the body portion 61.

FIG. 73( a)-73(d) show an alternative exemplary embodiment of anaccessory holder 730 according to the present invention. The accessoryholder 730 may be configured as a flexible piece of material withadhesive on a first side 732 and hook and loop fastener on a second side731. The first side 732 may be adhered to a tube or wire 733 and thesecond side 731 forms an outer surface that partially or fully surroundsthe tube or wire and that fastens at least with a non-wound facing sideof a wound/bandage protector. The accessory holder 730 may have anoptional access aperture 735 that allows a second tube or wire 734 toenter into the accessory holder 730.

FIGS. 77( a) and 77(b) show a top-side and a bottom-side view,respectively of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protectoraccessory holder 770. The accessory holder 770 is an elongate piece offlexible material with a narrow end 774 and a wide end 775. In the wideend is an aperture 773 through which the narrow end 774 may extendthrough. An entire bottom side surface 772 is hook of a hook and loopfastener that can fasten with the non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 6, while an entire top side surface 771 is ahigh friction-type tacky surface. As with all other discussion regardinghook and loop fastener, it should be readily understood that the hookand loop portion locations may be reversed and other types of fasteningsystems may be used.

FIGS. 78( a) and 78(b) show a top-side and a bottom-side view,respectively of an exemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protectoraccessory holder 780. The accessory holder 780 is an elongate piece offlexible material with a narrow end 784 and a wide end 785. In the wideend is an aperture 783 through which the narrow end 784 may extendthrough. An entire bottom side surface 782 is hook of a hook and loopfastener that can fasten with the non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector 6, while an entire top side surface 781 is ahigh friction-type tacky surface. As with all other discussion regardinghook and loop fastener, it should be readily understood that the hookand loop portion locations may be reversed and other types of fasteningsystems may be used.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary innature, and therefore, the spirit and the scope of the invention are byno means restricted to what is described above or intended to representevery possible embodiment of the invention. For example, when Velcro ismentioned, the hook portion could be the loop portion and the loopportion could be the hook portion, or it could be a different type offastening system altogether such as reusable adhesive with a surfacethat can adhere well to a reusable adhesive or magnetic fasteners, or aself adhering material surfaces, snaps, buttons. Moreover, wherereusable adhesive is mentioned, could also be any other form offastening, or releasable fastening, and in cases where permanentfastening is a possibility, use of other methods of attachment such asheat and punch, radio frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing or bondingor sewing may also be used. A gauze pad does not need to be square orrectangular it may be any shape that is sufficient to treat a particularwound. The wound/bandage protectors may or may not be configured with afirst catch tab and the tab may or may not be configured with a fasteneror fastening surface. Likewise, structural limitations discussed by oneexemplary embodiment of a wound/bandage protector or sock/mitten orbandage or adhesive bandage may be applied to other exemplaryembodiments of the wound/bandage protector or sock/mitten or bandage oradhesive bandage.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wound/bandage protector with a wound facingside and a non-wound facing side comprising: a. a body portionconfigured as a wrap having a first end, a second end; b. a first-catchfastener on the non-wound facing side of the body portion proximal tothe first end of the body portion configured so as to be capable offastening with the wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector; andc. a final fastener on the wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector proximal to the second end of the body portion configured soas to be capable of fastening with the non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector, the first catch fastener and the final fastenercapable of fastening to the wound/bandage protector other than througheach other.
 2. The wound/bandage protector of claim 1, furthercomprising: a. a first fastening tab extending from the second end ofthe body portion, the final fastener attached to a wound facing side ofthe first fastening tab.
 3. A wound/bandage protector with a woundfacing side and a non-wound facing side comprising: a. a body portionconfigured as a wrap having a first end, a second end; b. a first-catchfastener on the non-wound facing side of the body portion proximal tothe first end of the body portion configured so as to be capable offastening with the wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector; andc. a final fastener on the wound facing side of the wound/bandageprotector proximal to the second end of the body portion configured soas to be capable of fastening with the non-wound facing side of thewound/bandage protector, the first catch fastener provided andconfigured so as to be capable of fastening with the wound facing sideof a wound/bandage protector before the final fastener fastens with thenon-wound facing side of the a wound/bandage protector when wrapping thewound/bandage protector around a limb.
 4. A wound/bandage protectorcomprising: a. a body comprised of stretchable material configured as asock/mitten having a first end that is open, a second end that isclosed, an internal wound facing side, an external non-wound facingside, and a slit proximate to the first end; and b. a strap having aninternal portion and an external portion, the internal portion beingpartially or completely attached to the internal wound facing side ofthe body that is partially or completely configured as a non-slip gripsurface on a wound facing side of the strap and the external portionconfigured to extend through the slit, extend entirely or partiallyaround the external non-wound facing side of the body and fasten to theexternal non-wound facing side of the body and/or a non-wound facingside of the strap.
 5. The wound/bandage protector of claim 4, whereinthe slit on the body extends to the first end and a top edge of theinternal portion of the strap does not extend to the first end of thebody thereby forming a flap-over portion.
 6. A method of applying thewound/bandage protector of claim 4, comprising: a. placing a limb in thebody; b. wrapping the strap entirely or partially around the externalnon-wound facing side of the body; c. fastening the strap to theexternal non-wound facing side of the body and/or a non-wound facingside of the strap; and d. folding over a top portion of the body thatextends from the first end of the body so as to partially or fully coverthe strap.
 7. A method of applying the wound/bandage protector of claim5, comprising: a. placing a limb in the body; b. wrapping the strapentirely or partially around the external non-wound facing side of thebody; c. fastening the strap to the external non-wound facing side ofthe body and/or a non-wound facing side of the strap; and d. foldingover the flap-over portion of the body so as to partially or fully coverthe strap.
 8. The wound/bandage protector of claim 1, further comprisingan accessory holder configured so as to be capable forming a loop arounda tube or wire and forming an accessory holder bottom surface configuredto fasten with the non-wound facing side of the wound/bandage protectorand/or the wound facing side of the wound/bandage protector between afirst location where the first catch fastener is fastened and a secondlocation where the final fastener is fastened.
 9. The wound/bandageprotector of claim 1, further comprising an accessory holder bodycapable of holding onto a tube or wire and fastening with the non-woundfacing side of the wound/bandage protector between a first locationwhere the first catch fastener is fastened and a second location wherethe final fastener is fastened.
 10. A method of mounting a tube or wireon a person with the wound/bandage protector of claim 8, comprising: a.wrapping the body portion around a limb or body portion; b. securing thefirst catch fastener to the first location; c. wrapping the accessoryholder around a tube or wire; d. fastening the accessory holder to thewound/bandage protector between the first location and the secondlocation; and e. securing the final fastener to the second location. f.11. A method of mounting a tube or wire on a person with thewound/bandage protector of claim 8, comprising: a. wrapping the bodyportion around a limb or body portion; b. securing the first catchfastener to the first location; c. placing a tube or wire between thefirst location and the second location; and d. securing the finalfastener to the second location.